Battle of Yangshan

The Battle of Yangshan occurred in 194 AD when Cao Cao's army defeated the remnants of the Yellow Turbans in the counties of Chencheng, Yingchuan, and Runan at Yangshan ("Goat Hill"). Cao Cao's bodyguard Dian Wei again distinguished himself, and Cao Cao acquired the services of another bodyguard, Xu Chu, who had captured the Yellow Turban leader He Yi and brought him into Cao Cao's captivity. Cao Cao then had He Yi and Huang Shao executed, ending the last major Yellow Turban uprising.

Background
In 193 AD, as Governor of Donghai, Cao Cao had crushed the remaining Yellow Turbans at the Battle of Yan Province. Now the Governor of Yan Province, he went to war with Xu Province governor Tao Qian, only for Lu Bu to exploit his absence by conquering Yan Province. In 194 AD, Cao Cao returned to Yan Province but was defeated in his attempt to reconquer it at the Battle of Puyang, and he was forced to give up his attempts at reconquest by the onset of famine. However, his advisor Xun Yu advised him that a means of supplying his men would be to attack the eastern counties of Chencheng, Yingchuan, and Runan in order to win an easy victory over the Yellow Turbans there and feed his army off of their plundered grain.

Battle
Cao Cao left Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren in charge of Juancheng as he marched to seize Chencheng, and he then marched on to Runan and then to Yingchuan. The Yellow Turban leaders He Yi and Huang Shao came out with a large army to oppose Cao Cao at Yangshan ("Goat Hill"), and Cao Cao sent out Dian Wei to challenge them. Dian Wei slew their champion, and, the next day, Huang Shao personally led an attack on Cao Cao's army. Huang Shao's champion He Man challenged Cao Hong to a duel, and Cao Hong feigned a retreat before turning and slaying He Man. Li Dian then rode out and captured Huang Shao, taking immense spoils of food and treasure. He Yi fled with a few hundred horsemen towards the Gepei Hills, but Xu Chu - a local, girthy swashbuckler - captured He Yi and went out to meet Dian Wei. Xu Chu promised to bring out his prisoners if Dian Wei could defeat him in battle, and they fought all day, leading to Dian Wei recommending Xu Chu to Cao Cao. Xu Chu was promoted to General, while He Yi and Huang Shao were executed and Runan and Yingchuan pacified. Cao Cao then returned to Juancheng and prepared to continue his war with Lu Bu.